Shut Your Eyes, Shut Your Mouth

4. The Door's Closed And He Has a Weapon.

Actually, I enjoyed studying, but today, I couldn't wait for the classes to end. I kept glancing from the clock on the wall to my phone screen, each time hoping to see that three o'clock had already come.

"You're awfully tense today..." Kristina whispered behind me, right in the middle of class.

"Why?" I turned around immediately. Her comment threw me off a little, although I had no idea how I looked from the outside.

Maybe I really did look different? Like I wasn't quite myself?

"You're staring at your phone all the time, looking around, frowning. It's like you're planning something. Thinking of sneaking off to the cafeteria? If so, I'm coming with you."

"No, everything's fine." I tried to smile at her and turned away.

Kristina's words made me think—and actually made me feel like someone else. I didn't like it: I quickly pushed my phone away and covered it with my notebook, then stared straight at the board to blend in. Maybe I was just misreading my own emotions. Maybe I wasn't exactly looking forward to seeing Matthew—maybe I didn't really want to go with him at all? Before, I had no real choice; every day was the same. Now, I had no idea how my mind would handle the stress of something new. Could that be all it was?

I still hadn't told Kristina about Matthew. I couldn't begin to guess her reaction if she saw him waiting by the college to pick me up after class, just as he promised he would.

"Kristina... someone's picking me up today, okay?" I said hesitantly.

"Your dad? Could you give me a lift to the bus stop?" she asked without looking up from her notebook.

"No, not my dad. It's... a friend of mine." I faltered. "It's a long story."

Now Kristina set her pen aside and looked at me, her eyes widening in surprise. This was just the reaction I expected; she'd never heard me mention any friends—especially not any male ones. Usually, we only spoke about school.

"Hopefully, someday you'll tell me all about your secret life?"

***

Kristina and I stepped out onto the college steps. I didn't need to search for Matthew with my eyes—his black car was already parked right in front of the building. To my relief, he hadn't gotten out; he was just waiting inside. There were no other cars nearby: parking there was prohibited, and besides, at our college, only teachers drove cars, and they had their own designated parking lot, as did the senior students.

"I've got to go. I'll text you, all right?" I said to Kristina, already preparing to leave.

"This doesn't look good to me at all..." she murmured, not taking her eyes off the Mercedes.

"Everything's fine, I promise I'll tell you all about it later." In reality, I felt a slight unease and, for a moment, even doubted whether going with Matthew was a good idea.

But I managed to push down my doubts, keeping them silent. Not waiting for any more of Kristina's words, I hurried toward the car. A strange feeling crept over me, as though I was being watched from all sides. Kristina, filled with bewilderment and caution, was clearly keeping an eye on my every move. And from behind the tinted, still-closed window, Matthew was most likely watching too.

The thought brought a blush to my cheeks. Although I wasn't doing anything shameful, I still felt embarrassed inside.

I hadn't reached the car when Matthew stepped out. He walked slowly toward the passenger door, probably planning to open it for me. As in our previous encounters, he was dressed all in black, despite the overcast weather, his eyes hidden behind dark glasses.